Concentration of Air Pollutants During Working and Non-Working Days in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia

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1 World Applied Sciences Journal 8 (8): , 2010 ISSN IDOSI Publications, 2010 Concentration of Air Pollutants During Working and Non-Working Days in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia S. Norela, A. Maimon, B.S. Ismail and S. Al-Bateyneh School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the air quality in the residential and industrial areas of Kuala Lumpur city centre, based on the concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO 2), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) gases. Samplings were carried out for a total period of four days per week comprising two working and two non-working days for each station from July 2006 until October Vulnerable analysis (VA) was carried out to evaluate the air pollution stress at the different locations. The Vulnerability Index (VI) values showed that the air quality in these stations was medium to high medium. Values of the average concentrations of SO 2, CO and NO 2 were 0.077±0.028, ±1.917 and 0.094±0.027 ppm respectively. The results also showed that the concentrations of the pollutants were below the respective maximum permissible values stipulated by the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) (SO 2= 0.13 ppm; CO = 30 ppm; NO 2 = 0.17 ppm). Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p<0.05) of the pollutant levels for working and non-working days. However, there was good correlation for the concentration of CO with the number of vehicles (r=0.428, p<0.05) passing through the sampling stations. Key words: Kuala Lumpur City Centre Area Sulphur dioxide (SO ) Carbon monoxide (CO) Nitrogen 2 dioxide (NO ) Vulnerability Index (VI) 2 INTRODUCTION furnaces (0.2%) and open burning at solid waste disposal sites (0.8%). Polluted air causes a number of economic and social Transportation sources make up a significant portion problems such as adverse effects on public health and of the four air pollutants: CO, NO 2, SO 2 and PM. At and environmental quality. Monitoring of data and studies on near to the emissions sites, the concentration of certain ambient air quality show that some of the air pollutants in pollutants may be so high that the health and well-being several large cities are increasing with time and are not of humans and other living organisms are threatened, always at the acceptable levels as stipulated by the besides the serious impact it could have on constructed national ambient air quality standards [1]. The three major materials. Pollutants related to health problems in cities sources of air pollution in Malaysia arise from mobile, include NO 2, atmospheric aerosols (PM 2.5 and PM 10) stationary and open burning activities. Emissions from and O 3 [3]. Air pollution is location-specific. It is greatest mobile sources (i.e., motor vehicles) have been the major where it affects a larger number of people and the cause of air pollution, contributing to at least (70-75%) of emissions result in high ambient concentrations. In the the total air pollution. Emissions from stationary sources urban areas of Malaysia, air pollution is mainly caused by generally have contributed to 20-25% of the air pollution, transportation sources, which cause pollution of the air while open burning and forest fires have contributed through combustion processes and fuel evaporation. approximately to 3-5%. According to the Department of Transportation sources refer to a wide variety of vehicles the Environment [2], Malaysia, the percentages of the air that move, or can move from place to place. On road emission loads by type were motor vehicles (82%), power (or highway) sources include vehicles used on roads for stations (9%), industrial fuel burning (5%), industrial transportation of passengers or freight (e.g., cars, trucks production processes (3%), domestic and commercial and buses). In Malaysia mobile sources include motor Corresponding Author:B.S. Ismail, School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia 1013

2 vehicles such as personal cars, commercial vehicles and solution at the rate of 0.2 L/min. The absorbent solution motorcycles. By the end of the year 2000, there were containing the gaseous sample was then treated with 10.6 million vehicles registered in Malaysia, compared to specific compounds to determine its concentration 7.7 million in 1996, an increase of almost 2.9 million in the air. Readings were taken in-situ using the vehicles or 26% [4] in four years. Spectrophotometer Hach Kit DR Transmission Air pollution from non-mobile sources is controlled readings obtained were compared to the standard chart under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Environmental provided by LaMotte Chemicals [10] in order to obtain the Quality Act 1999 [5-9] which is the main instrument used actual concentrations in the air (in ppm). Samples were to achieve the objective of protecting the environment at taken for one hour at the respective times: the national level. hours, hours, hours and The air pollution in Kuala Lumpur city centre needs hours, with an interval time of three hours between the to be monitored regularly. The number of motor vehicles four sampling times per day. on the road are considerably higher especially during For comparison of the concentrations of CO, SO 2 and working days. The Kuala Lumpur city centre consists of NO2 between working days and non working days, the not only shopping complexes, but offices as well as values were based on secondary data obtained from industrial and residential areas. Therefore, data on air DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations covering July to October pollution levels in the city centre is important to ensure 2006, for other cities, i.e. Pasir Gudang in Johor, located in that the levels do not exceed the acceptable limits. south Peninsular Malaysia (C1, coordinates: N 01 28' The purpose of this study was to determine the 13.5", E ' 38.2"), Petaling Jaya in Selangor concentrations of CO, NO 2, SO 2 in the air and the (C2, the nearest city to Kuala Lumpur; coordinates: vulnerability index during working and non-working days N 03 06' 36.7", E ' 16.4"), Kelang in Selangor in some selected areas in Kuala Lumpur. (C3, coordinates: N 03 00' 37.2", E ' 29.0") and Seberang Prai in Pulau Pinang, located in north MATERIALS AND METHODS Peninsular Malaysia (C4, coordinates: N 05 23' 53.4", E ' 11.6"). Air Pollutants Study: The study area comprised mixed industrial and residential areas of Kuala Lumpur City Vulnerability Index Study: The vulnerability index is Center (Table 1). The samplings were carried out from July used to measure and identify the area in which the to October environment (including human beings) is at some stage of The three parameters studied are carbon monoxide stress due to pollution. The information developed from (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO 2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2). the VI provides the basis for setting priorites in the Sampling of the gaseous air pollutants was conducted by planning of abatement measures and for requesting the the method proposed by LaMotte [10]. Air was aspirated various polluters to set up a budget for research, pilot into a specific absorbing solution using an air pump at studies and management of the pollutants. A total the flow rate of 1.0 L/min for SO 2 and CO gases, while for vulnerability score (VST) can be obtained from the the NO gas, air was aspirated into the specific absorbent following expression. 2 Table 1: Location of the study areas Location Longitude Latiude 1. Jalan Tun Razak /Jalan Ampang (S1) " N " E 2. Jalan Ampang/Jalan P. Ramlee (S2) " N " E 3. Jalan Ampang/Jalan Sultan Ismail (S3) " N " E 4. Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan R. Abdullah (S4) " N " E Table 2: The ranges of Vulnerability Index Total vulnerability score (VST) Vulnerability index (VI) > 4420 Very high High medium High Medium high Medium Low < 517 Very low 1014

3 n for the four sampling stations. All concentrations of CO VST = Xi Ti observed were below the maximum permissible value as i= 1 stipulated by the DOE under the Environmental Quality Where Xi is the concentration of ith air pollutant, Act, 1974 and the Environmental Quality Regulations Ti the toxicity weighing factors for ith air pollution and (Clean Air), 1978, which is 30 ppm for a one hour period. n the number of air pollutants. From the study it was found that the concentration The toxicity weighing factors in this analysis as of CO during the day was higher than that during the stipulated by the World Bank [11] for the pollutants such night and this could be correlated to human activities. as NO 2, SO 2and CO were 4.5, 1.4 and respectively. The minimum concentration of CO was ppm and the The Vulnerability index was calculated on the basis of maximum value ppm. For station S4 higher VTr, the threshold concentration for residential and concentrations were recorded compared to S1, S2 and S3, sensitive areas (Table 2). possibly due to its proximity of being adjacent to the main road where the number of vehicles passing through RESULTS AND DISCUSSION were higher compared to those at the other stations (Table 4). Statistical tests (ANOVA) showed very Air Pollutants Study: The average concentration of significant differences (p<0.05) in the concentrations of CO was ±1.917 in all the sampling stations (Table 3). CO between working and non-working days at all the The average concentration of CO was highest at the Jalan sampling stations. Ampang and Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection (S3) during By comparing the data obtained in the current study working days, followed by that at the Jalan Ampang and to that of other studies it could be seen that the study Jalan P. Ramlee intersection (S2), the Jalan Sultan Ismail area had higher concentrations of CO. A study conducted and Jalan R. Abdullah intersection (S4) and finally at the by Mohd Talib [12] in the Ayer Keruh and Teluk Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang intersection (S1) with Kalung industrial areas showed pollution levels of values of ±1.669, ±1.591, ±2.402 and ppm. Correlation tests showed significant ±2.267 ppm, respectively. Fig. 1 shows the daily positive correlation (r=0.42, p>0.05) between CO levels concentration pattern of CO gas (ppm) in the atmosphere and the number of vehicles plying in the area (Table 5). Table 3: The daily average concentrations and standard deviations of toxic gases at all the four stations in Kuala Lumpur City Center [Average values (n=12) of toxic gases (ppm) for four intermittent one hour samplings at all the sampling stations from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm] Parameter Station Day Status SO2 NO2 CO S1 Non-Working 0.061± ± ±1.157 Working 0.074± ± ±2.267 S2 Non-Working 0.066± ± ±1.847 Working 0.076± ± ±1.591 S3 Non-Working 0.078± ± ±1.535 Working 0.101± ± ±1.669 S4 Non-Working 0.071± ± ±2.865 Working 0.087± ± ±2.402 Average 0.077± ± ±1.917 MPG Note: MPG - Malaysian Permissible Guidelines for one-hour sampling Table 4: Average number of vehicles, wind speed, temperature and relative humidity recorded for working and non-working days at the four sampling stations for different periods Non-working days Working days Time S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S Number of cars Number of heavy vehicles Number of motorcycles Wind speed Temperature Relative humidity

4 Table 4: Continued Number of cars Number of heavy vehicles Number of motorcycles Wind speed Temperature Relative humidity Number of cars Number of heavy vehicles Number of motorcycles Wind speed , Temperature Relative humidity Number of cars Number of heavy vehicles Number of motorcycles Wind speed Temperature Relative humidity Table 5: CO concentrations and vehicles numbers in the four sampling stations in Kuala Lumpur Stations CO Vehicles S S S S Significant correlations (p>0.05) were also noted between for the four sampling stations. All concentrations CO levels and ambient air temperature, relative humidity observed were below the maximum permissible value as and wind speed. Norela et al. [16] reported that there were stipulated by the DOE under the Environmental Quality no significant differences (p>0.05) in the pollutant levels Act, 1974 and Environmental Quality Regulations (CO, SO 2, O 3 and NO 2) between working days and (Clean Air), 1978, which is 0.13 ppm for a one hour period. non-working days in the mixed industrial and residential From the study it was found that the concentrations areas of Nilai town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. of SO 2 during the day were higher than those during the By comparing the data of the current study with the night, which could be correlated with human activities CO data obtained from DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations from that were closely related to the traffic volume at the July to October 2006 (Fig. 3), higher levels of CO were day and night time (Fig. 4). The minimum concentration observed during working days compared to the non- value of SO 2 was ppm and the maximum value was working days. However all the concentrations observed ppm. Station S3 recorded higher concentration were below the maximum permissible value as stipulated values compared to S1, S2 and S4, possibly because the by the DOE under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 number of vehicles passing through was higher compared and the Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air), to those at the other stations. Statistical test (ANOVA) 1978, which is 30 ppm for a one hour period. showed very significant differences in the concentration The average concentration of SO 2 was 0.077±0.028 of SO 2 (p<0.05) for working days and non-working days ppm at all the sampling stations (Table 3). The in all the sampling stations (Fig. 5). Comparison with other concentration of SO 2 was highest at the Jalan Ampang studies showed that the study area had higher and Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection (S3) during working concentrations of SO 2. A study conducted by days, followed by that at the Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Norela et al. [13] in the Balakong industrial area in Raja Abdullah intersection (S4), the Jalan Ampang and Selangor showed SO 2 levels of ppm. ANOVA Jalan P. Ramlee intersection (S2) and and finally at the tests showed significant correlations (p>0.05) between Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang intersection (S1), SO 2 levels and the number of vehicles passing through with values of 0.101±0.032, 0.087±0.027, 0.076±0.009 and the area. There were also significant correlations (p>0.05) 0.074±0.012 ppm, respectively. Fig. 3 shows the between SO 2 levels and the ambient air temperature, concentration pattern of SO gas (ppm) in the atmosphere relative humidity and wind speed

5 WASJ am 12-1pm 4-5pm 8-9pm S1 S2 S3 S4 Fig. 1: The daily pattern of CO levels (ppm) at all sampling stations from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm am 12-1 pm 4-5 pm 8-9 pm Non-Working day Working day Fig. 2: Comparison of the concentrations of CO gas (ppm) pollution for working days and non-working days Note: NW non-working, W working day Fig. 3: Comparison of the levels of CO gas (ppm) pollution between working days and non-working days recorded as an average from other cities in Malaysia through the secondary data of DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations 1017

6 WASJ S1 S2 S3 S am 12-1pm 4-5pm 8-9pm Fig. 4: Concentration patterns of SO 2 gas (ppm) at four sampling stations Non-Working day Working day am 12-1 pm 4-5 pm 8-9 pm Fig. 5: Comparison of the concentration of SO 2 gas (ppm) for working days and non-working days at the four sampling stations Note: NW non-working, W working day Fig. 6: Comparison of the levels of SO 2 gas (ppm) pollution between working days and non-working days recorded as an average from other cities in Malaysia through the secondary data of DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations 1018

7 WASJ am 12-1pm 4-5pm 8-9pm S1 S2 S3 S4 Fig. 7: Concentration patterns of NO 2 gas (ppm) at the four sampling stations in Kuala Lump ur am 12-1 pm 4-5 pm 8-9 pm Non-Working day Working day Fig. 8: Comparison in concentration of NO 2 gas (ppm) for non-working and working days at the four sampling stations in Kuala Lumpur city centre Note: NW non-working, W working day Fig. 9: Comparison of the levels of NO 2 gas (ppm) pollution between working days and non-working days recorded as an average from other cities in Malaysia through the secondary data of DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations 1019

8 Table 6: Vulnerability analysis at the different sampling stations in Kuala Lumpur city centre Vulnerability scores (VS) Station SO2 NO2 CO VST VI S Medium S Medium S Medium high S Medium high Overall Medium By comparing the data of the current study with the industrial areas [14] and those recorded along the SO 2 data obtained from DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations Putrajaya road [15]. There was also a significant positive from July to October 2006 (Fig. 6), it could be seen that correlation (r=0.62, p>0.05) between NO 2 levels and the levels of SO 2 during non-working days increased in the number of vehicles passing through the area. There early morning and decreased during the afternoon, then was also significant correlation (p>0.05) between NO2 increased again at night. However, all the SO2 levels and ambient air temperature, relative humidity concentrations observed were below the maximum and wind speed. permissible value as stipulated by the DOE under the By comparing the data of the current study with the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 and Environmental SO 2 data obtained from DOE-ASMA: CAQM stations Quality Regulations (Clean Air), 1978, which is 0.13 ppm from July to October 2006 (Fig. 9), higher levels of CO for a one hour period. The same results were also reported were observed during the working days compared to the by Norela et al. [16]. non-working days. However, all concentrations observed Average concentration of NO 2 recorded was were below the maximum permissible value as stipulated 0.094±0.027 ppm at all the sampling stations (Table 3). by the DOE under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 The concentration of NO 2 was highest at the Jalan R. and Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air), 1978, Abdullah intersection (S4) d uring working days, which is 0.17 ppm for a one hour period. The same results followed by that at Jalan Ampang and Jalan Sultan Ismail were also reported by Norela et al. [16]. intersection (S3), the Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang intersection (S1) and finally at the Jalan Ampang and Vulnerability Index Study: VA was carried out at road Jalan P. Ramlee intersection (S2) with values of intersections taking into consideration the mean values of 0.139±0.024, 0.120±0.023, 0.086±0.025 and 0.085±0.026 the pollutants and the results are given in Table 6. The VI ppm, respectively. is rated medium in two stations and for the other two it is Fig. 7 shows the concentration pattern of NO 2 gas high medium. (ppm) in the atmosphere at the four sampling stations. All concentrations observed were below the maximum CONCLUSION permissible value as stipulated by the DOE under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 and Environmental All three parameters of the pollutants studied were Quality Regulations (Clean air), 1978, which is 0.17 ppm found to have values below the values permitted by the for a one hour period. DOE under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 and The concentration pattern showed that NO2 Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air), concentrations were higher in the morning and decreased There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the towards the evening. The minimum value of NO 2 was pollutant levels between working days and non-working 0.04 ppm and the maximum value 0.18 ppm. Station S4 days. The Vulnerability Index for overall stations is recorded higher concentration compared to S1, S2 and S3. medium. The DOE and local authorities should cooperate Statistical tests (ANOVA) showed very significant and work closely regarding implementation of the laws as differences in the concentrations of NO 2 (p<0.05) for well as monitoring and managing the air and noise working and non-working days at all the sampling pollution problems. Settlement areas built close to stations (Fig. 8). industrial areas should have buffer zones so that air NO2 levels recorded in this study were higher than pollutants released from the industrial activities are not levels recorded in the Ayer Keruh and Teluk Kalung emitted directly to the surrounding residential areas. 1020

9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8. Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia Environmental Quality Report. Kuala Lumpur: We wish to acknowledge the technical assistance Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, rendered by Mr. Azman bin Hashim and other technical Malaysia. staff from the Faculty of Science and Technology, 9. Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and also those from the Environmental Quality Report. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya. Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Malaysia. REFERENCES 10. LaMotte, Instruction Manual, Air Pollution Sampling and Test Equipment. Lamotte Chem. Prod. 1. Afroz, R., H. Mohd Nasir and I. Noor Akma, Co., Chestertown. Review of air pollution and health impacts in 11. World Bank, World Development Report Malaysia. Environ. Res., 91: Oxford University Press, NewYork, pp: Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia 12. Mohd, Talib H.L., Air quality in industrial area Environmental Quality Report. Kuala Lumpur: in Air Keruh, Melaka and Teluk Kalung. Thesis M.Sc. Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Malaysia. 13. Norela, S., O. Mohd Rozali, A. Maimon, C.N. Goh and 3. Siniarovina, U. and M. Engardt, High-resolution S.M. Jennifer, Air quality and noise levels in the model simulations of anthropogenic sulphate and Balakong industrial areas, Selangor, Malaysia. sulphur dioxide in Southeast Asia. Atmos. Environ., Proceedings of the 2nd Bangi World Conference on 39: Environment, pp: Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia 14. Latif, M.T. and O. Mohd Rozali, Zarahan Environmental Quality Report. Kuala Lumpur: termendap di kawasan perindustrian Air Keruh Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, (Melaka) dan Teluk Kalung (Terengganu). Malays. J. Malaysia. Anal. Sci., 5(1): Sham, S., Environmental Quality Act Norela, S., L.F. Toh and O. Mohd Rozali, Then and Now. Institute for Environment and Carbon monoxide concentration along the main road Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan to Putrajaya. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Malaysia, Bangi, pp: 709. Environmental Management, pp: Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia 16. Norela, S., A.S. Hazzila and A. Maimon, Environmental Quality Report. Kuala Lumpur: Determination of air quality and noise levels in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, mixed industrial and residential ares of Nilai, Negeri Malaysia. Sembilan, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 35(1): Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia Environmental Quality Report. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Malaysia. 1021